,?°jf't>N PUBLIC L/BRAR7
3 9999 06S4S «nH
BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
Boston Public Library
http://archive.org/details/annualreportofdi1959mass
■■• ■■ ss W*ft
JMlF
.t- , K/17 ■HRK9M
y >iiV^ nTWiiii *t IKii i rtTr
HHBn
sBHKaHBS
■■•-'.
HUH
• •■•'■■.■'.-•'■
"'■-■-"'
hRHH
WSKBtHSM
mm
SBK:
mnr
BfiHSSP
iffln
Emm®
-■ . ' * .
2<Mfl ..-■•.
......ia-, '»• Vi:^
n N
»«w * on
ni^Bvir
►f*»H
BOSTON PI LIBM
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dr. Owen B. Kieman, Commissioner
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
DIVISION OF IMMIGRATION AND AMERICANIZATION
For the Year Ending June 30, 1959
BOARD
of the
DIVISION OF EMIGRATION AND AMERICANIZATION
Term Expires
1962
Miss Alice W. 0* Connor, Chairman
I960
Mr Aris tides Andrade
1962
Mr. Joseph P a Raman
1961
Miss Constance Garafalo
1961
Mrs, Clementina Langone
I960
Mrs. Helen Sutton
SUPERVISOR OF SOCIAL SERVICE
Mrs. leofilia K. Tattan
DISTRICT AGENTS
Mr. Daniel J. Donahue
Mr. Andrew W. Ansara
Mr. John A. Mclnnes
Kr« Edmund B Meduski
- Fall River Office
- Lawrence Office
Springfield office
- Worcester Office
ANNUAL REPORT '
Year Ending Jane 30, 1959
of the
DIVISION OF IMMIGRATION AND AMERICANIZATION
of the
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
With the close of the year on June 30, 1959, the Division of Immigration and
Americanization completed forty-two years of service in fulfilling its duties as
outlined for the Division under Chapter 69, Section 11 of the General Laws, as
amended by Chapter 1|09 of the Acts of 1939 which are:
(1) bring into sympathetic and mutually helpful relations the
Commonwealth and its residents of foreign origin
(2) protect immigrants from exploitation and abuse
(3) stimulate their acquisition and mastery of English -
(k) develop their understanding of American government,
institutions and ideals
(5) generally promote their assimilation and naturalization.
The Law also described two methods by which the Division may function:
(1) the Division may cooperate with other officers- and departments of
the Commonwealth, and with all public agencies, federal, state
or municipal
(2) it may investigate the exploitation or abuse of immigrants and in
making any investigation may require the attendance and testimony
of witnesses and the production of books and documents pertaining
to the matter under investigation.
The Division was "first created as the Bureau of Immigration by an Act of the
General Court in 1917* In 1919, when the mandate of the Constitutional Convention
required that all agencies be consolidated into twenty major departments, the
Bureau of Immigration, with the same powers and duties was transferred to the
Department of Education. The offices of the Division of Immigration and Americani-
zation in Boston, Massachusetts were located at the State House until I9I1I when
the Division was moved to offices at 73 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
The fundamental purpose of the work is to bring the residents of foreign
origin into sympathetic and mutually helpful relationship with the Commonwealth.
The Division aims to convince the newcomers from every corner of the globe that
the Commonwealth is their trustworthy friend, counsellor and guide in the many
perplexities of language, laws and customs that are strange. The main office at
Boston and the four branches at Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield and Worcester
operate service bureaus in which professional social workers, experienced in help-
ing with technical questions of immigration, assist in solving the difficulties
due to immigration or nationality laws and refer social and domestic problems to
appropriate social agencies. Social Workers speak the foreign languages of the
immigrants 5 all have been oriented to the cultural differences of the newcomers
and are skilled in making the stranger feel at home in America. The number of
- 1 -
given services has grown steadily from 18,521 in 1920 to k3,lk9 last year of which
listed for Boston were* 25,555; Fall River, h 9 173} Lawrence, 3,7U8; Springfield,
3,996 and Worcester, 5,677.
FOREIGN BORN STATISTICS
The United States has received more immigrants since World War II than any
other country in the world. About three million have come since I9I46 and "three
fourths of that number settled in nine states - one of them Massachusetts* Since
19li9, 93,003 immigrants, on arrival into the United States, gave their destination
as Massachusetts • 10,128 immigrants came to Massachusetts in the year ending
June 30, 1958 and about that number last year - ending June 30, 1959 o Of the last
Federal census, 1950, one half of the l*,690,52i4 residents were classified as
foreign stock, i.e., persons - one- or both of whose parents were foreign born. One
sixth of the population, 783,277, is listed as foreign born. New England's propor-
tion of "foreign white stock" population (which combines the foreign born with
those of foreign and mixed parents) is greater than any other region of the United
States* Percentages below refer to proportion of foreign born in the total popu-
lation of the regions as of the 1950 census:
Ethnic Elements
New England
h6£%
Middle Atlantic
ia&
East North Central
27.0
West North Central
20.9
West South Central
9.7
East South Central
2.3
South Atlantic
TJk
Pacific
28.7
Mountain
19 Jk
Massachusetts is one of the nine states in which more than 100,000 aliens
are* registered annually under the Alien Registration Act. In January, 1959,
129 9 klh aliens registered under the Alien Registration Act. Of this group, New
York leads with 562, 1*68 and Massachusetts is seventh on this list. The nationali-
ties of aliens registered in Massachusetts in January, 1959 are:
Canada
29^183
Italian
18^362
Polish
11^289
United Kingdom
10,505
Ireland
7,325
Germany
5,14.63
U.S.S.R.
3,h76
Hungary
1*228
All Others
h2 9 lh3
- 2 ~
Although not aliens, within the past few years, about 10,000 Puerto Ricans
have come to Massachusetts for permanent residence. Their problems are like those
of the foreign born because of their lack of knowledge of English. 3,000 are
settled around Boston. A great many of them came as farm workers and then stayed
on and brought their families. Others have moved on from New York which is the
largest settlement of Puerto Ricans on the mainland. Lack of ability to speak
English has isolated them from the American Community which makes it difficult to
communicate their needs and to obtain employment. Housing has been a problem also.
NATIONALITY OF CLIEN1S
6,968 of our clients of the fifty 'nationalities listed were Italian born,
although many of these are naturalized. The large number of applicants in this
category is attributed to the number of Italians who were permitted to come' under
the Refugee Relief Act of 1953' in force to 1956. Greeks in the amount of 1,793
listed as served in this state, many were recent arrivals to the United States.
6,3Ul persons born in the United States were assisted and this number included
those born in the United States and spent most of their lives abroad. These have
recently returned to their country of birth and now are sending for their close
family abroad. Notable among this group are women born in the United States who
lived many years in Italy and persons born in the United States who have spent
most of their lives in Poland and now are sending for their families to join them.
Canadian born clients have numbered ij-,971 and their problems were; sending for
relatives, travel assistance in getting proper alien registration cards and citi-
zenship matters, A great number of the 2,5>1J> Irish born- persons were assisted in
making affidavits to send for relatives from Ireland. 2,7^2 Portuguese born
persons were assisted and an increase in this nationality is attributed to the
enactment of the law under which Fayal born persons, victims of the earthquake
disaster, are being permitted to come to the United States. Relatives are making
the necessary affidavits. 2,719 Polish born persons were assisted and 1,966 per-
sons gave Germany as their birthplace.
The localities of residence of our clients covered about every city and town
of the Commonwealth.
BLOOMING THE NEWCOMER
This office is sent the names of the aliens arriving in Massachusetts and each
immigrant or family is sent a letter of welcome to the State with the offer of our
services in matters of adjustment to living in the United States, Our offices had
some 3,002 contacts in the past year with these newcomers whose problems have been
such as initiating them to- register under Social Security and Draft, sending for
their families left abroad, as well as referral to community resources for educa-
tion and recreation. These newcomers, usually sponsored by close relatives, have
adjusted well.
Among the newcomer group, family reunions make up the greatest number.
Recently admitted immigrants who finally have been able to come to the United
States under the quota, now make papers and their families are joining them.
- 3 -
'
' )
■
I
!
I
■
'
■
-
Notable among them is the Italian spouse who has come and is now sending for his
family; or the Polish born brother or sister now sending for his family; as well
as the Lithuanian born brother or sister having waited his turn for the quota
many years now has his own family join him in the United States from Australia or
South American countries. From Ireland came mostly the single young man or woman
sponsored by a relative. Massachusetts is indeed cosmopolitan,
IMMIGRATION
9,057 services were given to persons seeking information on matters pertain-
ing to immigration and reunion of families, as well as information given foreign
students and persons in the United States on temporary status changing to resi-
dents of the United States, We made 2,631 affidavits of support for persons send-
ing for relatives and friends from about every country.
World tensions and upheavals abroad and economics find many persons seeking
entrance into' the United States, Ihe small quotas for countries like the'tfliitcd
Arab Republic, Greece, Portugal, Spain make the wait for quota indefinite, A
Greek alien admitted to the United States perhaps under the provisions of the
Refugee Act who now is sending for his wife and child finds that those registered
on the list in 19^9 are getting their turn. Such a Refugee family is now in
Poland waiting reunion with the father and husband in the United States, A Greek
brother registered on the list since 19h6 as a fourth preference category quota
applicant which status was gained for him by the petition of his U, S, citizen
brother, is still waiting his turn, Ihis same situation exists in a case of 'a
Spanish born sister waiting her turn since 19h6 to come to the United States,
l5li,657 immigrants are permitted to the United States under the quota system
which was continued by the 7/alter McCarran Act of 1952 • The quota for any country
is a minimum of 100 but the total for a country is figured on the formula of one
sixth of one per cent of the number of people in the Continental United States, as
of the Census of 1920, Because of the changing of the nature of our population
since 1920, there are many advocates for a change of the quota system mainly that
the use of the 1950 census would be a fairer solution. Under the present system,
countries with the largest quotas as Great Britain, Ireland have never filled
their allotment and the numbers are unused*
The Act of September 11, 1957 somewhat eased the situation by removing mort-
gages on quotas created by the Displaced Persons Act of 19l|£, Countries, as
Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, etc,, with small quotas and which
mortgaged quotas' up to the year 2000, benefited. However, there is the situation
at present of 63,669 applicants awaiting their turn in the fourth preference cate-
gory of the Italian quota which is 5,61*5 annually. The number assigned to this
category is 25$ 'of quota numbers not used for the first, second and third prefer-
ence categories. In Portugal, there are 2,1|66 such registrants recorded against
the annual quota of U38, Extremely long lists are recorded in countries like
Greece and Spain and most of Europe, 'In the Second Preference category, those
for parents of United States citizens, and to whom 30$ of the annual quota is
assigned, there is a great backlog in many countries. For the Greek quota there
M 1| M
; .
'
t
■
!
■
■ -
»»
.
g
: .
'
.
-
'
are 1*,568 such registrants against the annual quota of 308 • A parent must wait
over two years to get his turn to join his U. S. citizen family in the united
States • Turkish born parents and those of other countries have the same situation #
ORPHANS
The close of the year June 30, 1959 brought to an end the provisions of the
law to admit orphans into the United States* We assisted some ten applicants in
filling necessary forms, affidavits of support and had correspondence with the
U# S. Consuls* Among them were four cases of Greek children adopted abroad'who
came to their waiting parents, Two girls from Poland, aged 11 and 12 years, came
to their uncle and family* An infant baby came from Portugal after the adoptive
parents went there and chose the child* Even though this law was in force two
years, the closing days of the law found several cases incomplete because of
travel documents abroad which had not been issued*
FAMILY REUNIONS UNDER SPECIAL LAW
Section"6, also, of P.L. 85-316" which concerned Tubercular spouses, parents,
also expired. Of the ten spouses which our office assisted in coming to the
United States under the provisions of that lav/, eight have been already released
after admission and treatment and further examination at the State hospitals*
Die waiver of criminal records under Section 5 of that law has served to re-
unite several long separated families* A Cape Verde born husband had been deport-
ed in 19^)1 because he had admitted perjury when he claimed he was Brazilian born
in making applications to enter the United States without quota. His wife had
come to the United States under U* S. citizenship she acquired through her father.
She brought the children but the family would still be separated except for this
provision of the law. Several very old immigration cases were finally adjusted
with the waiver and pre examination privileges, as in the cases of the Russian born
man who had lived in the United States most of his life. He was found deportable
because of conviction of two crimes involving moral turpitude. He could not be
deported because he was unable to get a birth record. The invocation of the
waiver plus the procedure of "preexamination" permitted him to depart from the
United States for a trip to Canada, get his visa and then stay reunited with his
citizen wife and children.
OTHER TMI.ttGRATTON LAW PROVISIONS
Preexamination privileges are no longer allowed since June 30, 1°5 Q * Under
this procedure, the Uc S, Consul in Canada, after review of the file and receipt
of the necessary clearances would give an appointment to a person for issuance of
immigrant visa. The U. S, Immigration Service then after examination gave the
alien a letter which assured his entrance into Canada and return to the United
States. The termination of this procedure has left many applicants in a dilemma*
Many of our change of status cases who had been able to adjust to permanent resi-
dence in that manner, now face going abroad for issuance of visas. Some skilled
-5-
professionals whoso services were necessary in the United States have been accorded
first preference category* Others are husbands of U, S, citizens in the United
States on temporary status who must depart and get a visa for legal' residence.
However, with the small quota of countries like China, Korea, Spain, India, Greece,
etc,, no numbers are available for adjustment of status in the United States©
Already we have cases in - process with applications being made at Consulates in
Aruba, Dutch West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, Nassau, Bahamas.
Of the 390 Change of Status cases we handled, many were for persons of skills
whose services were required by firms, others were persons who had entered the
United States as students or visitors and who in the meantime had married United
States citizens. Some were those who came as non- immigrants and decided to stay
with their relatives in the United States, Since a quota number was available, as
in the case of persons born in Great Britain, application was made, procedure com-
pleted and resulted in residence in the United States, Our social workers and
district agents are licensed to appear at the U, $• Immigration hearings with such
clients and accompany the clients to the hearings.
On September 2, 1958, Congress enacted P,L, 85-892 which permits entrance of
1500 visas to nationals or citizens' of Portugal who because of natural calamity in
the Azore Islands since September 1, 1957 are out of their usual place of abode in
such islands and unable to return to their former homes. They must be in urgent
need of assistance for essentials of life, This legislation will permit 1^00
applicants, plus their families to come outside the quota. We have made a number
of affidavits for persons to come under this provision. Privately chartered
planes' with many of these immigrants have been admitted at Logan Airport, East
Boston, Massachusetts, This law expires June 30, i960.
Under the law of August 5, 1958, P» L, 85-616 - permitting- persons who are in
the United States prior to June 28, l$kO to adjust their status, we have assisted
fourteen persons to become permanent legal residents. They now await the neces-
sary length of time to become United States citizens. One of- the cases was that
of an Italian who had come to the United States as a stowaway, June 28, 192k 9 but
he could never prove it by written evidence. Since this law makes him prove resi-
dence since 19k0 9 he was able to comply with the requirements. The statistical
sheet' attached shows the other various services givenj making petitions for rela-
tives, helping the aliens with address 'report cards, required annually, filling
change of address cards when they move, as well as assisting persons in filling
forms and procedure to verify their age for their application for Social Security
Pensions.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
As 'this report is being concluded, new immigration legislation is being
enacted,
/
The orphan law is being extended for another year. It has additional provi-
sions making it necessary for the Immigration Service to investigate and approve
the petitions even for children who were adopted abroad,
« 6 —
The law to permit persons with Tuberculosis to join their immediate families
is being renewed. The same provisions of arranging for hospital care and 'giving
definite assurance against them be coming 'public charges still is in force. Under
H. R. 58^6, it is estimated that some 57*000 close relatives will benefit. This
law was passed to reunite the families who came under the Refugee Relief Act and
who are waiting for their turn in the quota for a long time. It changes the
category of some immigrants from fourth to second class, as unmarried children
over 21 years of age of united States citizens. This law will without doubt in-
crease our work with this group of persons as there are many registrants whom we
have been assisting to come to the United States,
In the last session of Congress, some twenty bills were introduced regarding
Immigration Law changes and Refugees, None, except the above oentioned has boon
enacted. It" is expected with the designation of Refugee Year, July 1, 1959 to
July 1, i960, that some legislation favoring Refugees may be enacted later.
CITIZENSHIP
h 9 l$3 persons were naturalized in the State of Massachusetts, Our statistics
show that we have filled 2,589 applications in this category. The Federal
Government is sending to persons eligible for citizenship reminders to be naturali-
zed. As a result, we have more' applications recently. There are still a number
of persons in the United States, long time residents, who are fearful of the
examination, etc., and have not been naturalized. A: f ew of the more recently
arrived immigrants are naturally so inclined although they are alert to take the
privilege of naturalization as soon as possible.
Although Declaration of Intentions, or First Papers, are no longer required,
we assisted in filling 369 such applications. Doctors, nurses who seek to take
the Massachusetts examinations to be registered must have such Declarations and
it is required by some employers who have government contracts. Persons who
gained citizenship through parentage or marriage and making application for cer-
tificates in their own right, numbered 7H« The recent rulings changing the
length of required residence for children, under some conditions, permitting them
eligibility for such citizenship if they come to the United States up to the age
of 23, has increased the applicants in this category.
We have had several favorable rulings in the cases of several United States
born persons of Italian and Portuguese ancestry who had lived abroad since child-
hood and for whom it had been ruled had lost United States citizenship by military
service in those countries. The ruling in the Nishikawa case has helped four of
our clients and they have been adjudicated as citizens of the United States.
COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
The Division cooperates with social agencies, public and private, We have
referrals from the Division of Public Welfare, Registrar of Voters and Social
Security Offices, as well as other State offices, to give special technical infor—
- 7 *
mation on citizenship and immigration problems and translation service. V7e have
many contacts with the various sponsoring agencies working with refugees and our
relations have been most cooperative and mutually helpful. Close contact and
constant cooperative relationship with the Adult Civic Education Groups of the
Commonwealth are maintained and, as a member of the Committee for the Foreign Born
of the United Community Services, we participate in meetings and problems of the
foreign born. Relations with the Federal Immigration and Naturalization Service
continue with cooperation and assistance.
The increasing numbers of calls for our services without publicity or adver-
tising of our work points out the need of our services. The Ways and Means
Committee of 1959 has cut out two positions from our formerly authorized nineteen
positions and necessarily we shall not be able to give our former number of
services.
REFUGEE YEAR
July 19^9 to July i960 has been designated as Refugee Year and President
Eisenhower in his proclamation issued for the occasion, summarised the World
Refugee Year Aim as:
"to focus interest on the refugee problem; to encourage
additional financial contributions from governments,
voluntary agencies, and the general public for solution
of the problem, and to provide additional opportunities
for permanent refugee solutions, through voluntary repa-
triation, resettlement or integration, with due regard
for humanitarian consideration and in accordance with
the freely expressed wishes of the refugees themselves."
It is estimated that in Austria, Germany, Greece and Italy there are 30,000
Refugees still in camps. 100,000 unsettled out of camp Refugees are in the above
countries and in Belgium, France - , Netherlands and Turkey. There are one million
Arab Refugees in U^A.R., Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, pending political settlements.
170,000 Algerian Refugees in Tunisia' and Morocco, one million Refugees in Hong
Kong from the Chinese Mainland and 9,500 European Refugees still remain on the
Chinese mainland.
lb study the situation and relieve the conditions, the United States Committee
for Refugees was established in the fall and winter of 1958 and has set itself
these tasks:
. to inform the public about world refugee issues.
• to consult regularly with Government leaders and UN officials.
» to stimulate research on refugee problems.
• to work closely with American voluntary agencies in the 'refugee field.
• to further American participation in World Refugee Year.
-. 8 -
and recommends :
« A Federal appropriation of $10 million over and above present
outlays refugee programs,
• Generous government allocation of additional surplus commodities.
• New legislation permitting the annual immigration of 20,000 refugees
beyond those authorized by existing quotas*
• Intensified action by voluntary agencies in their continuing programs
and in their efforts to raise from the American people during the Year
at least $20 million over their normal campaign goals for refugee aid.
With the close of Congress, 1959* no legislation was enacted, but it is
expected that Congress will enact some laws for the relief in this ever present
world situation.
Further interest in Refugees is manifested by a Massachusetts Committee under
the U. S. Committee for Refugees. The subject of Refugees is a topic of discussion
for a morning meeting being arranged for the Massachusetts Social Workers Conference
to be held this Fall. The Division is taking part in this conference, and no doubt
should a law be enacted to assist refugees to come from abroad, we shall assist
relatives in making necessary assurances as we have done under all preceding laws.
FALL RIVER
The fiscal year closed on June 30, 19^9 with the Fall River Office recording
a total of !*,173 services rendered to persons residing in the Southeastern
Massachusetts area. The total of h,173 services is an increase over the previous
fiscal year and the records show that the workload in this area is increasing each
and every year. For example, liiere v/as an increase in the petitions for naturali-
zation. There was an increase in applications for certificates of citizenship and
also an increase in petitions for issuance of immigration visas and in other immi-
gration and naturalization forms.
This office had a total of 39 change of status cases as compared to 18 in the
previous fiscal year. This type of case constitutes numerous documentations,
numerous forms and a good deal of worki I have appeared at jL0 hearings as com-
pared to l[ in the previous fiscal year. It might be added that I only appear at
hearings where I am urgently needed in anticipation of a serious nature, I have
the opportunity of appearing at all change of status hearings, however, most of
my appearances at hearings were connected with special inquiries; suspension of
deportation; deportation cases and some change of status cases.
This office 'has prepared appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals at
Washington, D. C. and on two occasions have met with* favorable action. An appeal
was made to the Board of Review, Department of State, regarding a Certificate of
Loss of Nationality, This Board reversed a previous administrative decision that
the subject had expatriated himself and the native born visitor from Portugal was
able to remain in the United States; retain his United States citizenship #nd have
his wife and four children join him in the United States. This particular case
took approximately nine months before reaching a successful conclusion.
- 9 -
My weekly visits to New Bedford, Massachusetts are busy days and employ a
full schedule. It might be added that there is no State Immigration and .Americani-
zation Office in operation in that city since 1939 nor has there been* any Federal
Immigration and Naturalization Service Office in operation since 1953 •
There is an expansion in population in the Southeastern Massachusetts area,
particularly noticeable on Cape Cod where the Otis Air Force Base has been expand-
ing rapidly , Numerous cases are from that area*
With the enactment of new legislation concerning the* orphans act and reunion
of families under H, R, 5896, it appears that this office, like the others of the
Division, will have a* heavier workload in this in the present fiscal year which
terminates on June 30, I960,
LAWRENCE OFFICE
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959, the Lawrence District office
rendered a total of 3 ,lhfi services to clients , Ihis is an increase of h$h services
over the previous fiscal year* This Agent "came to the Lawrence Office in January
1959 in transfer from the Worcester office.
Information on immigration laws and procedures was the service most frequently
requested by clients during the fiscal* year 1959 • The second most frequent service
rendered was the writing of letters to, for and about clients. Answering questions
pertaining to citizenship was the third most frequent service given.
During the fiscal year ending in June. 1959* the Lawrence District office was
in contact with clients representing over hi different nationalities* Italy was '
the country most frequently represented, Canada was second with the United States,
Poland, Great Britain, Greece and Lebanon following in that order.
Clients residing in kk localities throughout the Commonwealth were served by
the Lawrence District office during the past fiscal year. The largest number of
clients were residents of Lawrence proper, Lowell had the second greatest number
of individuals served „ This can be attributed to 'the fact that in April of 1959*
this agent commenced visiting Lowell for services, Each visit was preceded by
excellent coverage through the local press and radio. The churches and several
nationality organizations in Lowell were also notified of this agent's visits to
that cityi Interviews in Lowell have been held at the Civil Defense office in
City Hall, This agent has received excellent cooperation from the Lowell city
officials, especially by the City Manager and the Civil Defense Director,
Other cities well represented by clients 'during the past fiscal year were
Methuen, Andover, Haverhill and North Andover,
The Lawrence District office has continued to maintain excellent relations
with the private, city, state and federal agencies in the area,
Beside the assistance rendered individuals with problems relating to immigra-
tion and citizenship, the Lawrence District office performed a variety of ether
functions during the last fiscal year:
- 10 -
All newcomers to the area were sent letters of welcome. News items pertaining
to various aspects of the immigration and naturalization laws appeared in the
Lawrence and Lowell newspapers initiated by this office*
The District Agent attended all the naturalization sessions at the Lawrence
Superior Court,
Individuals with health, employment and personal problems were interviewed
and referred to the proper agencies.
Newcomers who spoke Italian, Arabic, French or German but no English were
relieved to be able to discuss 'their problems in their native language with the
workers in the Lawrence office.
This office counselled many new arrivals regarding life in America, thus
affording them an opportunity to adjust more readily to their environment .
■
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE
During the past fiscal year 3,996 persons were recorded as having received
services at the Springfield office. Ihis figure does net represent the unrecorded
services given daily by telephone to individuals and agencies located in the four
Western counties of our state. Since the closing in 1955 of the local office of
the united States Immigration and Naturalization Service, requests by telephone
have increased tremendously. This has been especially true during the past year.
The statistics snow that the District Agent personally handled 91 per cent of
the recorded services. In addition to performing the above duty and caring for
the general management of the office, he was called upon to train two nevr clerks.
One appointed on a provisional appointment for a period of 6 months, and the
other a permanent appointee approved by the Civil Service Commission January 1,
1959 ♦
The statistics show that we assisted persons from 1*6 countries with natives
of Canada heading the list. P G rsons born in the United States, Germany, Italy,
Poland, Great Britain and Ireland made up the major nationalities.
Individuals came to our office from h$ localities within our district. V/e
had contact with $\\ persons former residents of our state, now residing elsewhere
in the United States.
During the year 188 letters were sent to new immigrants destined to our area
welcoming them to our Commonwealth and inviting them to call upon us for any assis-
tance they might need to help adjust themselves to their new life in America. The
response to these letters was most gratifying this year. Inquiries came to us
from these people asking "for advice about citizenship, educational opportunities,
employment and the sponsoring of other members of their family. A number of young
men of -military age sought advice about enlistment in the Armed Forces in prefer-
ence to waiting to be called by Selective Service. One of these, a young man born
- 11 -
countryj offices of the United States government 'in foreign countries; and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service in Bo3ton. The newcomers seem to appre-
ciate a slowj polite interview. Possibly a courtesy they did not enjoy in their
home country*
From the different- ethnic groups the Italians, Americans, Canadians, Poles,
Britishers, Lithuanians, Germans and Greeks requested the most services in that
order. The people of Italian descent, in this district, are very persistent in
their efforts of sponsoring their friends and relatives, even though they know
that the quota is filled, or it involves a long wait. They keep inquiring about
pending legislation before Congress, The fairly liberal policy of the Polish
government concerning migration and travel, keeps up the hopes of this fairly
large nationality group in the Worcester Area. Travel to and from Canada continues
at a lively pace.
On June l£, 1959, the Agent was the featured speaker at the commencement
exercises held at the Lamartine Street School, Worcester, Massachusetts for the
aliens studying how to road, write and speak the English language. The graduation
class was proud to recite patriotic themes in their new language, as well as to
perform a colorful Greek folk dance for the guests in attendance.
- 13 -
STATISTICAL DETAIL
SERVICES GIVEN
1 Year: 7/1/58 - 6/30/59
INFORMATION
o
H
fc
se;
8
8
FALL RIVER
OFFICE
w
s
SPRINGFIELD
OFFICE
« H
a
\A -X I
<d O co
P wir\
Q H Os
& fr-, fH
Fisca
8lb5
2032
1673
2338
An
1 Offices
I.
bob5
18,233
1, Booklets, forms, blanks
2 , Citizenship
1298
292
17 b
b6l
311
23536
" 10^8
' 898
515
^90
115C
b',b£L
3 • Immigration
5065
5&U
76«
73b
1926
9,057
km Travel
190
7U
115
225
b"66
1,078
5, Other
' 5b6
20U
101
zv
192
1,071
II.
FORMS FILLED
6095
88b
703
63$
760
9,077
6. N-105
3k
b
3
3
9
53
7 . N-300
310
9
13
29
'369
8. N~b00
1761
301
115
212
200
2,589
9, N~600
kl9
~ wr~
37
62" '
hi
711
10 # N-585""
160
1 "
' 10
^ ' 7
5'
' 163
11, Other Nat'ur. Forms
173
27
-- - 20
31
26
277
12, 1-131
wr
1
5
9
' "8"
167
13, 1-133
312
9k
Ti
U5
' " " '63
'755
lb. Other Immig. Forms
1098
21U
lb7
66
122
l,6b7
15; AR-ll
2«9
lit
58
~67T
w
U87
16, 1-90
373
' U3
13"
"Hi
k9
-512
17, AR-53 or 5U
762
90
2U6
85
lbb
1,327
Ill,
EXECUTION OF AFFIDAVITS
2i;85
1*67
37b
298
295
3,919
18, Affidavit of support
2097
135
122
96
181
2,631
19 • Affidavit of facts
a
9
33
U
9
' 67
20. Other notarial
3»0
323
219
19U
10b
1,220
21, Assurances
-
-
-
-
1
1
IV.
OTHER SERVICES
6903
558
869
167
bll
8,908
22, Change of Status
279
39
2b
22
26
390
23 • Appearance at hearings
"20lj.
l«
7
-
b
'233
2b» Interpretation & Trans,
25, Letters
' 7bb
11
151
-
128
l',03k
5569
bb~2
603
Ibb
252
7,010
26, Other
107
m
8b
1
1
2bl
V.
INTERVIEW
1927
232
129
558
166
3,012
27, Newcomer Interview
1916
232
129
558
166
3,001
28, Refugee Interview
11
-
-
-
-
11
2$&$
b,173
3,7b8
3,996
5,677
b3,lb9
Fiscal lear
1.
2.
3.
k.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11*
12.
13.
111.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
21.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
3k.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
Uo.
la.
U2.
U3.
Ui.
l£.
1*7.
1*8.
to.
50.
51.
52.
53.
51*.
55.
56.
-1959
NATIONALITY AM) ETHNIC STATISTICS
A
WOR
CESTER
11 Offices
BOSTON
FALL
RIVER
IAWRENCE
SPRING-
FIEID
TOTAL
Albania
80
mm
6
..
85
171
Africa
76
2
5
5
2
bit
Armenia (R. or T.;
81
-
59
-
Hit
"25lt '
Australia
3bW
-
19
k
9
"lltl
Austria
m
6
25
30
5
210
Belgium
98
3
31
20
6
350
Bulgaria
12
•M
-
-
-
• 12
Canada
2066
22U
591
600
682
It, 971
Central America
306
23
—
11*
17
360
China
570
134
ftl
16
56
855
Czechoslovakia
91
1
11
U
115
Denmark
33
5
1
9
16
bit
Egypt
72
7
-
-
1
80
Estonia
16
•m
.
6
2
?-k
Finland
87
4
-
5
73
169
France
3k3
34
6U
55
87
563
Germany
1072
73
T*7
39k
280
l-,966
Great Britain
988
no
212
337
33U
U?b9
Greece
1076
Bit
193
20b"
232
1 3 793
Hungary
39k
1
97
10
73
5«3
Iceland
8
-
3
-
-
11
India
166
-
-
B
21
195
Indonesia
19
-
T"
*M
12
36
Iran
k3
-
11
2
13
69
Iraq
2U
-
1
-
-
" 25
Ireland
1963
28
" 55 '
283
106
2,515
Israel
60
m
U
3
15
' 82
Itaty
klk5
82
693
387
1061
6,968
Japan
163
3$
5
51
21
275
Jordan
k3
-
5
2
-
50
Korea
05
mm
6'
-
' 33
12 k
Latvia
156
" 7
-
2
7
202
Lithuania
1*17
3
71
12
283
786
Mexico
k5
-
5
3
Ik
67
Netherlands
'151'
b
16
16
28
219
New Zealand
5
-
1
-
2
8
Norway
133
170
1
-
15
319
Pakistan
13
M
-
1
7
21
Palestine
15
-
9
k
6
3k
Philippines
251
U5
12
5
11
'32k
Poland
1299
209
203
377
551
2,719
Portugal
561
1996
120
k9
16
2,7U2
Rumania
35
-
lb
18
3
' 7k'
South America
370
26
16
32
52
U96 "
Spain
106
28
7
21
170
Sweden
125
13
7
16
81
2k2
Switzerland
105
-
2
k
11
122
Syria & Lebanon
159
3k
195
62
178
628
Turkey (Not Armenia)
269
b
35
26
33
371
Trieste
1
-
-
-
-
1
Ukraine
59
16
1
25
1
102
U.S.S.R.
622
32 ~
60
87
04
'865
United States
3818
730
551
5o8
726
6,32*1
West Indies
670
3
k
11*9
37
863
Yugoslavia
183
3
2
9
30
227
Other Countries
•122
' 3
• 31
108
30
-29U
25,555
U,173
3,72*0
3,996
5,677
1*3,12*9
Fiscal Year
1953 - 1959
L C A L I
TIES
SPRING-
FIELD
All Offices
BOSTON
FALL
RIVSR
IAWRENCE
WORCESTER
TOTAL
Abington
13
mm
IM
**
13
Acton
lb
m
-
-
—
lT"
Acushne-T
-
37
-
-
-
37
Adams
-
-
-
2
-
2
Agawam
•H
tm
-
72
-
72
Amesbury
11
-
11
-
-
22
Amherst
15
-
-
10
-
"T5"
Andover
IB
-
251
-
-
269
Arlington
318
2
it
-
-
32/4
Ashburnham
3
-
-
-
-
3
Ashland
h
-
-
-
-
U
Athol
?
-
-
-
1
«
Attleboiro
ut
56
<-
-
-
70
Auburn
i
-
-
-
bit
65
Avon
i
-
-
-
-
1
Ayer
200
-
-
-
5
205
Barnstable
28
23
..
mm
—
51
Bar re
1
mm
-
-
k
5
Bedford
5?
-
2
-
-
59
Belchertown
2
-
-
2
-
k
Bellingham
3
3
-
-
-
6
Belnont
251+
-
-
-
-
25U
Berkley-
-
h
-
-
-
U
Berlin
h
-
-
-
3
7
Beverly
»U
-
-
-
-
Bit
Billerica
27
-
32
-
-
59
Blacks tone"
-
-
-
-
1
1
Boston
11,520
2
«9
10
11,621
Bourne
9
25
-
2
-
36
BoxforcT"
2
-
-
-
-
2
Boylston
-
-
mm-
-
21
21
Brain tree
61
-
-
-
-
61
Bridgewater
29
—
M
-
29
Brimfield
6
-
-
-
-
6
Brockton
m "
-
-
-
-
313
Brookfield
2
-
-
-
6
Brookline
133
-
-
-
-
733
Burlington
1U
-
-
-
-
111
Cambridge
1887
6
1
im
mm
1*891*
Canton
62
2
-
*m
—
bit
Carlisle
1
M*
Mi
-
-
1
Carver
1
-
-
-
-
1
Charlton
-
-
-
-
12
12
Chatham
2
-
-
-
-
2
Chellmsfbrcl
5
-
16
-
•m
' 21
Chelsea
22l
-
13
-
-
2U0
Fiscal Year
19*8 - 1959
BOSTON
FALL
RIVER
IAVilRENCE
SPRING-
FIEID
WORCESTER
TOTAL
Cheshire
16
mm
M
-
-
16
Chic ope e
3
n
-
m
-
)i/>6
Clarksburg
-
-
-
i
•
*1
Clinton
M
-
-
5o
5U
CohasseTi
21
-
-
tm
-
21
Concord
BU
-
-
-
-
Bit
Dalton
m
gp
.. ,
3
m
3
Danvers
22
-
25
•M
-
U7
DartmoulTi
U
76
-
-
-
130
Dedham
93
-
-
-
-
93
Deerfieid'
-
-
-
1
-
1
Dighton
-
17
-
-
-
17
Douglas
1
-
«■>
-
3
U
Dover
21*
-
1
-
—
25
DracuTi
12
aw
5b
-
-
6y
Dudley
5
-
mm
-
31*
39
Duns table
1
Ml
-
-
-
1
Duxbury
U7
-
-
-
-
U7
East Longmeadow
mm
^ ,
ma
17
Ma
17
Easthampton
7
-
-
16
-
23
Easton
25
-
-
-
-
28
Essex
3
-
3
-
M
6
Evere£E
31b
-
5
-
-
321
Fairhaven
9
101
„,
ri .
„.
'110
Fall River
15
2032
—
-
-
2,01+7
Falmouth
51
21
-
-
-
72
Fitchburg
30
-
-
-
Id
UO
Foxboro
6
-
-
•n
-
6
Framingh'sm"
W
2
-
-
151
Franklin
60
-
-
-
i
61
Gardner
13
mu
— .
1
n
25
Georgetown
2
mm
-
-
-
2
Gloucester
100
k
- 1
-
-
10U
Grafton
2
-
-
-
78
BO'
Granby
1
-
-
1
-
2
Great Barring-ton
1
M
-
1
M
2
Greenfield
-
-
-
6
-
6
Groton
9
-
" 1
-
1
11
Grove land
5
-
2
-
-
7
Hadley
2
„.
.„
2
--
b
Halifax
2
-
-
-
-
2
Hamilton
1U
-
2
-
-
16
Hampden
-
-
■a
1
-
1
Hanover
2
-
-
-
-
2 '
Hanson
17
-
-
-
-
17
Hardwick
-
-
-
-
6^
65
Harvard
35
-
-
-
-
35
..-•;
Fiscal Year
1958 - 1959
BOSTON
FALL
Rr/ER
LAWRENCE 3
SPRING-
FIELD
WORCESTER
TO131L
Harwich
I*
6
m
_
.
10
Haverhill"
60
-
261
-
-
321
Hingham
hk
-
-
-
■M
W
Hinsdale
-
-
~
1
-
1
Holbrook
31
-
-
-
-
31
Holden
1
-
-
-
79
""BO
Hollisloh
23
-
-
-
-
23
Holyoke
13
-
-
359
-
372
Hopedale
-
-
-
-
1
1
Hopkinton
8
-
+m
-
3
11
Hubbardstbn
-
-
-
—
k
h
Hudson
36
-
-
-
~
36
Hull
12
-
-
-
-
12
Ipswich
11
mm
1
mm
^ m
12
Kingston
2
mm
rT
_
mm
2
Lake vi lie
1
mm
p—
«_
mm
1
Lancaster
U6
-
-
-
12
' 5S
Lanesboro
2
-
-
1
-
3
Lawrence
53
-
1921;
-
6
1,983
Lee
-
-
-
2
-
2
Leicester
-
-
-
-
59
59
Lenox
2
-
-
13
-
15
Lean ins ter
30
-
-
-
3
21
Lexington
110
-
-
-
-
110
Lincoln
19
-
-
-
-
19
Littleton
7
-
-
-
-
7
Longmeadow
-
-
-
75
-
75
Lowell
bo-
-
390
-
3
1*81
Ludlow
ld
-
-
W
-
107
Lunenburg
2
-
-
-
-
2
Itfnn
Ui2
-
-
-
-
i|i|2
I^nnfield
7
-
2 ""
-
-
9
M alden
3U5
wm
5
mm
—
350
Manchester
16
-
-
-
-
16
Mansfield
21
-
-
-
-
21
Marblehead
25
-
-
-
-
25
Marion
U
?
-
-
-
11
Marlboro"
19
-
-
-
10
29
Marshfield
25
-
-
-
-
25
M ashpee
9
-
-
-
-
9
M attapo'is'et't
-
3
-
m*
-
3
Maynard
30
-
-
-
-
30
MedfielxT"
1U
-
—
-
-
1U
Medford
U5U
-
-
-
-
U5U
Medway
27
-
-
-
-
27
Melrose
116
-
-
-
-
116
Methuen
22
-
362
-
-
381;
Middleboro"
9
-
-
-
-
9
Fiscal Year
1958 - 1959
BOSTON
FALL
RIVER
LAWRENCE
SPRING-
FIELD
WORCESTER
TOTAL
Middle ton
1
1
_
_
2
Milford
15
-
-
-
20
35
Millbury
1
-
-
-
31
32 r
Millis
12
-
-
-
-
12
Milton
11*0
-
-
-
-
l)<0
Monson
1
-
-
-13
-
Hi
M ontague
1
-
-
-
-
l
Nahant
11
„,
m ^
mm
^.
11
Nantucket
2
-
-
-
-
2
Natick
13JU
-
-
-
-
13U
Needham
121
-
6
-
-
'127
New Bedford
59
131B
-
-
1
1,377
Newbury
1
-
-
-
-
1"
Newnurypbri
13
-
22
-
-
35
Newton
69*;
-
U
tm
1
699
Norfolk
3
-
-
-
3
North Adams
2
-
-
2
-
h
North Andover
3
-
100
-
-
109
North Attleboro
3
3
-
-
-
6
North Brookf ield*"
-
-
-
-
6
6
North Reading
11
-
3
-
-
34
Northampton
7
-
-
in
-
W
Northboro
1
-
-
-
21
22
Northbridge
9
-
-
-
57
66
Northfield '
-
-
-
7
-
7
Norton
2
10
-
-
-
12
Norwell
2
-
mm
-
-
2
Norwood
102
-
-
-
-
102
Orange
3
mm
__
3
„,
6
Otis
2
-
-
-
-
2
Oxford
-
-
-
-
2U
2k
Palmer
8
mm
m m
h$
mm
S3
Paxton
1
-
~
-
9
10
Peabody
135
9
10
-
-
m
Pembroke
15
-
-
mm
-
15
Pepperell
6
-
1
-
-
7
Petersham
3
-
-
-
-
3
Phillips ton
-
-
-
-
1
1
Pittsfield
11*
-
-
20
-
3k
Plymouth
79
-
-
-
-
79
Plympton
U
-
-
-
-
h
Prince ton
-
-
-
-
2
2
Province town
3
-
-
-
-
3
Quincy
Will
5
_
Uh9
'
Fiscal Year
1958 - 1959
BOSTON
FALL
RIVER
LAitflENCE
SPRING-
FIELD
WORCESTER
TOTc\L
Randolph
kk
mm
„
mm
mm
hk
Raynham
1
20
-
-
M
21
Reading
(3
-
-
-
-
73
Rehoboth
-
6
-
-
-
6
Revere
256
-
-
-
2
25b"
Rochester
1
-
-
-
-
1
Rockland
15
-
-
-
-
15
Rockport
6
-
-
-
-
a
Rowley-
3
-
-
-
-
3
Russell
-
-
-
T
-
5
Rutland
7
m ^~~ m -
-
-
20
27
Salem
153
mm
5
..
..
158
Salisbury
-
-
l
-
-
1
Saugus
uo
-
l
-
-
ifl."
ScituaTe
69
2
■M
-
-
71
Sharon
60
-
-
-
-
60
Shelburhe
1
-
-
-
mm
1
Sherborn
h
-
-
MM
-
u
Shirley
n
-
-
-
-
11
Shrewsbury
2
-
-
-
136
13a
Somerset
h
119
-
-
-
123
Scmerville
9U6
-
1
-
-
9^7
South Hadley
-
-
-
m
-
UU
Southampton
2
-
-
h
-
6
Southboro
h
-
-
-
1
5
Southbridge
30
-
-
l
71
102
Southwick
-
-
-
9
-
9
Spencer
3
-
3
-
U6
' 52
Springfield'
35
-
-
2316
-
2,351
Sterling
-
-
-
-
U
U
StockbricTge
2
-
-
3
-
5
Stoneham
66
-
-
-
-
66
S tough ton
Ul
-
-
-
ill
Stow
12
-
-
—
-
12
Sturbridge
1
-
—
2
1
h
Sudbury
K
-
-
-
-
17
Sutton
-
-
-
-
2
2
Swamps co tt"
37
-
-
-
-
37 '
Swansea
1
92
-
-
-
93
Taunton
2k
129
153
Temple toii
a
-
-
-
3
11
Tewksbury
9
-
10
-
-
19
Topsfield
15
-
£
-
-
l?"
I^ngsboro
3
-
2
-
—
5
[fyringham
mm
-
-
1
-
l
Upton
Uxbri'dge
1
mm
_
mm
Ik
15
3
-
-
—
19
22
Fiscal loar
1958 - 1959
Wakefield^
Walpole "
Waltham
Ware
Wareham
Warren "
Watertown
Wayland
Webster
We lies ley
Wellfleet"
Wenham
West Boylsto n
West Bridgewater
Yfest Springfield"
We s tb or o "
Westfield
Westford
Weston
WestporT
Westwood"
Weymouth"
WhatelyJ
Whitman""
Wi3Jbrahan
Y/i3mington_
Winchendon"
Winchester"
Winthrop [
Woburn
Worcester
Wrentham
Yarmouth
Out of State
TOTAL
BOSTON
6U
W
T
FALL
RIVER
1?
"U7T
T7"
T2T
T
T
7
12
TT
39
31
loT
19
IF
T
w
7J
71
327
25,555
13
LAWRENCE
SPRING-
FIELD
WORCESTER
2
TT
w
TF
T5F
T
"BT"
T5T
33
TT
I*, 173
"W
TT
10
3,7)48
"m£o"
lOi;
3,996
10
5,677
Tom
6U
TT
Tine -
9
TJ7T~
121
1
2
"oT
1
US"
"5T -
IF
39
If
"31
105
19
TT
TJJ
W
73
^ 71
fagl
U3,lh9
.■■■-'•■..- :
■■•■:■.■■:■■
-v •■•-'• '
■■•'-/■'.'.
■'.-■■■
M
rami
ft ftc
I
SHHI
TVNews
OpenLibrary